Study Medicine in Australia
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Erudera's Complete Guide to Studying Medicine in Australia
Among all English-speaking countries, Australia is one of the most sought-out destinations by international students. And, when it comes to medicine, it is common knowledge that health professionals are in constant demand, not only in Australia but all across the globe. As a country that offers internationally recognized qualifications, has lecturers that are among the best in the world and creates the best study conditions for each student, Australia is the best place to study medicine. Considering the employment outcomes and salary expectations of medical graduates in Australia you will find your study experience here to be highly rewarding.
Reasons to Study Medicine in Australia
A Large Number of Medicine Courses
Australian universities offer a number of courses in the field of medicine which aim to meet the needs and interests of each student. Whether you wish to work in general practice or aim for a more specialized field, you can find them all in Australian medical schools. In addition to a large number of courses, Australian medical schools also rank quite high in international rankings. Due to the great reputation that these institutions hold, admissions in the field of medicine are quite competitive. So, if you get admitted, know that you will benefit from the innovative curriculum and expertise of Australian universities.
Great Opportunities to Enhance Your Career
Having the opportunity to receive education from great educators and experts in the field of medicine such as the ones in Australian universities will surely be a great strength to your career. Many students that have graduated from Australian universities report that not only have they succeeded in workplaces in Australia, but in other countries as well. This is due to the fact that if you choose to practice your profession elsewhere, you will be leaving Australia with an internationally recognized qualification. Thus, you will have the option of choosing where you would like to create your career.
One of The Highest Paying Countries for Doctors
The Australian government is one that strives to supply its population with sufficient healthcare and high living standards. For doctors, it is important to find good compensation for the skills they possess and there is no doubt that Australia is a country that pays its doctors quite well. Therefore, by studying in Australia you will be able to develop further expertise in your chosen discipline and receive a more than decent salary once you graduate and start your career. In addition to this, Australia is known for having a well-developed employment system and for offering excellent working conditions.
Top Universities to Study Medicine in Australia
Some of the best universities in Australia for Medicine are:
- University of Sydney
- University of Melbourne
- University of Queensland Australia
- Monash University
- University of Western Australia
- University of New South Wales
- University of Adelaide
- Australian National University
- University of Newcastle
- Queensland University of Technology
- Flinders University
Medical School Structure in Australia
There are two ways in which you can become a doctor in Australia. One is by applying to medical school right after you finish high school, and the other one is by applying after you have already completed an undergraduate degree. Going to medical school after high school is considered an undergraduate degree. Whereas, going to medical school after already having completed a Bachelor’s degree is considered as a postgraduate degree.
Once you complete your medical degree which can take from 4 to 6 years, you must take 47 weeks or one year as an intern in a hospital. The responsibility of coordinating this internship falls entirely on you. Usually, for all the states in Australia, the application deadline is in June, a year prior to the commencement of your internship. Another thing you should consider is applying for provisional registration with the Australian Medical Board so you can be supervised during your internship. You can do this by applying online on the official website of the Australian Medical Board.
Requirements
To be eligible for admission to the Australian medical schools you must meet the requirements set by these institutions. Considering that you can apply to a medical program after you have already completed a bachelor’s degree, one of the requirements is to have obtained an equivalent qualification to the Australian bachelor’s degree. Your GPA is another factor that determines your eligibility to apply to medical school in Australia. Universities require that you have a minimum GPA of 2.7 out of 4 (for the US/Canadian students), 3.3 out of 5 (for Singaporean students), and so on.
Some Australian universities may require you to submit a portfolio as well. In addition to this, you should also sit for the admission test (GAMSAT/MCAT or for DMD, DAT/CDAT). Last but not least, in order to study medicine in Australia, you must speak English fluently. If you come from a non-English speaking country you must provide proof of English proficiency. To do this you can send scores of TOEFL, IELTS, PTE to the university. If you are not a student coming from New Zealand you will also need a visa to study in Australia.
Note that each university may have its own specific requirements. Therefore, you are strongly advised to check the website of your chosen university for information on their requirements. If you have any questions or uncertainties feel free to contact the university directly.
Application Process
Although careers in medicine are highly sought after by Australian students, as well as by international students many get discouraged by the numerous challenging stages of the application process. However, you should know that with a bit of research and planning beforehand the application process is easier. In addition to this, in Australia, you do not apply through a centralized portal, but you are required to apply directly to the university of your choice.
Documents that you must prepare and send as a means to support your application include a filled-out application form, academic qualifications, proof of English language proficiency, official transcripts, CV, letters of reference, and a personal statement of why you wish to study in Australia. Important: Make sure that you apply to the university before the deadline. Considering the competitive nature of the field of medicine, sending the application after the deadline will most likely result in the rejection of your application.
Degree Duration: How Long Does It Take to Study Medicine in Australia?
An MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) in Australia usually takes 3 to 7 years to complete (three years of a Bachelor’s degree and 4 years for an MD - Doctor of Medicine). After you are finished with this period, you can continue with your internship and residency which can take 1 to 2 years. Note that some people can choose to do more than a year of residency.
During the first year of your studies, you will be learning about basic medical concepts, anatomy, biochemistry, basic human physiology, etc. The last part of your education is vocational training. During this period you can complete a fellowship for example in ophthalmology, general practice, anesthetics, etc, and it can take from 3 to 5 years.
Tuition Fees: How Much Does It Cost to Study Medicine in Australia?
Tuition fees usually make up the bulk part of your expenses while studying abroad. In Australia, as an international student, you should be prepared to pay around AU$84,000 (US$62,071) in tuition fees per year for a medical degree. In addition to tuition fees, you should also know that you have to pay an application fee when you submit your application. The cost of this fee ranges from AU$100 (US$73) to AU$150(US$110).
Apart from tuition fees, you should also consider the expenses you will have before arriving in Australia. An example of these kinds of expenses is application fees (student visa application or as mentioned above - university application fees), fees for entering an exam, etc. In addition to this, you should also consider the living expenses which can go up to AU$ 27,000 (US$19,857) per year. Note that your lifestyle choices determine the cost of living in Australia.
Medicine Career Prospects in Australia
Graduating from a medical school in Australia will give you access to numerous opportunities both locally and internationally. Once you graduate, depending on your specialization, you can work in clinical administration, hospital administration, medical records administration, optometry, or you can work as an audiologist, podiatrist, speech pathologist, veterinarian, dentist, dental assistant, paramedic, neurosurgeon, physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, nurse, dietitian, nutritionist, pharmacist, chiropractor, anesthetic technologists, medical research scientist, transplant surgeon, etc.
If you wish to remain in Australia and exercise your profession as a doctor you can expect to receive an average salary of AU$214,000 (US$158,211) per year. Normally, salaries differ between different professions where for instance a neurosurgeon in Australia earns around AU$242,000(US$178,951) per year. An anesthesiologist earns around AU$154,000 (US$113,918) per year. A psychiatrist earns around AU$133,000(US$98,383) per year. A physician’s/doctor’s/cardiologist’s yearly salary can reach the amount of AU$400,000 (US$295,901) per year. Obstetricians/gynecologists in Australia earn around AU$110,000 (US$81,372) per year. Pediatricians earn around AU$100,500 (US$74,349) per year, and so on.
